Port-a-Bump Road Construction Safety Device

Abstract

A system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction is disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a portable speed bump comprising: a set of center elements having a length and a width, the set of center elements having a first end center element and a second end center element, wherein the first end center element and the second end center element are located at opposite ends of the length of the set of center elements, wherein a dividing line separates each center element in the set of center elements from a neighboring center element, a set of side elements, wherein the set of side elements comprises a first set of side elements and a second set of side elements, the first set of side elements and the second set of side elements being located at opposite sides of the width of the set of center elements; and a series of connecting rods, wherein the series of connecting rods couple the first set of side elements, the set of center elements, and the second set of side elements into a single structure.

2. The apparatus of independent claim 1, wherein: each side element of the set of side elements is positioned to be centered with each of the dividing lines between each of the center elements.

3. The apparatus of independent claim 1, wherein: each center element has a reflective surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the reflective surfaces have at least a first color and a second color, such that each center element has a different reflective surface color from the neighboring center element.

5. The apparatus of independent claim 1, wherein: each side element has a reflective front surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the reflective front surfaces have at least a first color and a second color, such that each side element has a different reflective front surface color from the neighboring center element.

7. The apparatus of independent claim 1, wherein: the first end center element further comprises a first series of connecting elements and the second end center element further comprises a second series of connecting elements, such that each of the first and second series of connecting elements can be connected to a second apparatus to produce a longer single structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the connection elements comprise thru-holes; and wherein a connecting device may be engaged through the thru-hole to a corresponding thru-hole in the second apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the connecting device is one of a hook and a clamp.

10. The apparatus of independent claim 1, wherein: a profile view of the set of center elements and the set of side elements has an overall shape, the overall shape sloping up at a level of a roadway at the first set of side elements, reaching a maximum height and remaining flat at the center elements, and sloping down to the level of the roadway at the second set of side elements.

11. An apparatus for a portable speed bump carrier comprising: a support wheel located at a first side of the apparatus; a shaft connected to the support wheel; a center drum that rotates about the shaft, the center drum configured such that a length of portable speed bump elements can be wound around the center drum; and a crank engage to the shaft, the crank located at a second side of the apparatus, the second side being opposite from the first side, wherein rotating the crank in a first direction causes the length of speed bump element to wind onto the center drum, and wherein rotating the crank in a second direction causes the length of speed bump element to unwind from the center drum.

12. The apparatus of independent claim 11, wherein: the crank is one of a manual handle, an electric motor, a gasoline powered internal combustion engine, and a diesel powered internal combustion engine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment for providing a system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a system that provides a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a system for providing a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an example embodiment for a system for providing a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a single portable road speed bump for deployment around road construction sites connecting to a second portable speed bump according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 6a-c illustrate an example of a device carrier for a portable road speed bump for deployment around road and highway construction sites according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Some embodiments of the present invention are described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be defined by the description itself. The claimed subject matter may be embodied as to include different features, elements, components, steps, or combinations of steps, similar to those described herein, and in combination with other existing or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” might be used to connote different elements of the methods employed, this term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except the order of individual steps is explicitly described or required.

[0017] This application relates in general a system for providing a safety device used at road and highway construction sites, and more specifically, to a system for providing a portable speed bump for deployment around road and highway construction sites according to the present invention.

[0018] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0019] In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one or more of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

[0021] Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “50-250 micrometers” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 50 micrometers and 250 micrometers, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 60, 70, and 80 micrometers, and sub-ranges such as from 50-100 micrometers, from 100-200, and from 100-250 micrometers, etc.

[0022] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, percent, ratio, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about,” whether or not the term “about” is present. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specifications and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0023] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the testing measurements.

[0024] As used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term “about” shall expressly include “exactly,” consistent with the discussion above regarding ranges and numerical data.

[0025] The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Port-A-Bump Road Construction Safety Device.” Invention or present invention may be used interchangeably with “Port-A-Bump.”

[0026] In general, the present disclosure relates a system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment for a system that provides a portable road speed bump for deployment around road construction sites according to the present invention. The figure presents a construction site on an existing roadway 105 in which a vehicle 110 must transverse areas that may include road workers and construction equipment near the roadway 105. The roadway 105 may be divided into areas safe for vehicles to use from active work areas by using barriers 108a-n and other marking devices, such as road cones 107a-n and barrier walls 108.

[0027] These devices, unfortunately, do not provide an effective way to reduce the speed of a vehicle 110 as it enters into a work area. In other instances, motorists are encouraged to reduce their speed with the use of speed bumps constructed on a roadway. These speed bumps are typically permanently constructed into a roadway. This type of speed bump, however, is not an effective method to encourage vehicles to slow down that is meant to be a temporary device that may be removed without damaging the roadway when the construction has been halted or completed.

[0028] One solution to this problem is to place temporary speed bumps 101a-d down onto the roadway 105 across the path of travel for vehicles 110. These temporary speed bumps 101a-d are transported to a worksite using a device carrier 102 and unrolled as they are placed down to create an obstacle for motorists to traverse at a slowed speed. These portable speed bumps 101a-d are made of rubber or a hard synthetic material that is strong enough for vehicles to drive over without damage to the speed bumps and vehicle tires. When the construction is completed, either for a day or a job, the portable speed bumps 101a-d may be rolled up onto the carrier 102 and easily removed from the worksite.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of an example embodiment of a system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention. One portable speed bump 201 is shown having a length for crossing a roadway and defined by identical elements connected in a row. The portable speed bump 201 is constructed using a set of center elements 203a-n having an end center element 202a-b located at each end of the speed bump. A set of side elements 204a-m are located along the sides of the center elements. Each of these side elements 204a-m are positioned to be centered along a dividing line between each of the center elements 203a-n. A series of connecting rods 209a-k are coupled to one of the side elements on each side of the speed bump 201 while passing through the corresponding center element 203a-n in between. The connecting rods 209a-k are coupled one to each side of the side elements 204a-m so that the center and side elements connect into a single structure. The connecting rods are also positioned to maintain enough space between the series of center elements 203a-n to allow the portable speed bumps to be flexible and to roll up onto the carrier 102.

[0030] Each of the center elements 203a-n may also possess a reflective surface 207 a-b on top of the element directed into the expected path of travel for a vehicle as it crosses the portable speed bump 201. These reflective surfaces 207a-b may present alternating colors such that the portable speed bump 201 is visible to drivers approaching them when the speed bumps are located across the roadway 105. The number, location, and color of these reflective surfaces may be arranged as desired to best provide visual clues to drivers for the need to slow down their vehicles.

[0031] The two end center elements 202a-b may also possess a series of connecting elements 205a-c and 206a-c toward their outer edges on a side opposite from a center element 202a. These connecting elements may permit one portable speed bump 201 to be connected to a second speed bump to create a longer speed bump. The speed bump 201 may also be connected to another speed bump to permit multiple speed bumps to be rolled onto a carrier 102.

[0032] While the described arrangement of center and side elements shown herein represents one of many possible arrangements for these interconnected and modular speed bump elements that may be possible with the present invention, other arrangements, such as a similar one shown in FIG. 6a may be used to construct the portable speed bump 201 while permitting it to remain flexible and able to be rolled up onto its carrier.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a system for providing for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention. The side view of FIG. 3 shows the portable speed bump 201 with one side visible as a vehicle approaches the device along its path of travel over the portable speed bump 201. A driver will be able to see the front surfaces of the set of side elements 204a-f, the front surfaces of the top of the center elements 203a-d located behind the side elements, and any reflective surfaces 207a-b that are included on the portable speed bump 201.

[0034] While the reflective surfaces 207a-b are shown being located on the front surfaces of the center elements, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these reflective surfaces may be located on the front sides of the side elements as well as, in addition to or instead of being located on the center elements. The tires of the vehicle 110 will drive up the front surfaces of the side elements 204a-e and then the front surfaces of the center elements before crossing the remaining portion of the center elements and down the other side of the portable speed bump 201.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an example embodiment for a system for a portable road speed bump that can be deployed in a series around road or highway construction according to the present invention. The front view of the portable speed bump 201 presents a view of the speed bump as seen from a side of a roadway looking down the length of the speed bump. The portable speed bump 201 shows a center element 202a having a side element 204a and 204n on either side. A connecting rod 209a is shown connecting the two side elements 204a, 204n to each other while also passing through the center element 203a. The profile view of both the side elements 204a, 204n, and the center element 203a, illustrate the overall shape of the speed bump that starts at the level of the roadway at an edge that rises across the side elements and continues up the side of the center element until reaching its maximum height. A middle section of the center element remains flat until a slope downward begins and crosses the second side element before reaching the roadway level. The reflective surfaces 207a-b are shown on one of the possible locations that permit headlights from passing vehicles to enhance the visibility of the speed bump 201 for vehicle operators 110.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a portable road speed bump for deployment around road construction sites connecting to a second portable speed bump according to the present invention. A first end element 501a is shown abutting a second end element 501b in an attempt to connect these two portable speed bumps into a longer speed bump. Each of the end elements possess a set of connecting elements 502a-b that are positioned to be adjacent to each other when the two end elements are located together. These two connecting elements 502a-b may be coupled together using a connecting device 503. In an embodiment in which the connecting elements 502 a-b correspond to thru-holes in the end elements, the connecting device 503 may be a hook or clamp that engages each thru-hole in a manner that secures the end elements into a single device. In other embodiments, one of the end elements may possess a receiving thru-hole where the second end element possesses just a hook device. Any connection mechanism may be used herein as long as it maintains some separation of the end elements from each other to maintain the flexibility of the portable speed bump as it is used and rolled into its carrier 102.

[0037] FIG. 6a-c illustrate an example for a device carrier for a portable road speed bump for deployment around road construction sites according to the present invention. FIG. 6a shows a top view of a carrier 600 that unrolls a length of portable speed bump elements 601 to deploy the portable speed bump 201 at a construction site. The length of speed bump elements 601 illustrates another set of interconnected elements that may be coupled together for a flexible portable speed bump that may be rolled on and off a carrier 600. The length of portable speed bump elements 601 wind around a center drum 602 that rotates about a shaft 606 which connects a support wheel 603 on one side of the carrier 600 to a cranking handle 615 on the other side of the carrier. As the crank handle 615 is rotated about the shaft 606, the length of portable speed bump elements 601 will move onto and about the drum 602. The crank handle 615 may be replaced by a motor device that is powered by a power source, such as an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline powered or a diesel powered engine, if needed to move the mass of the length of portable speed bump elements 601. When the crank handle 615, or the motor device, turns the crank in one direction, the length of portable speed bump elements 601 will wind onto the center drum 602. When the crank handle 615, or motor device is reversed to rotate in the opposite direction, the length of portable speed bump elements 601 will be deployed as the carrier 600 is moved across a roadway.

[0038] FIG. 6b shows a carrier 600 having a handle 610 and a supporting movement wheel 605a in which the length of portable speed bump elements 601 is entirely contained within the carrier 600. FIG. 6c shows the carrier 600 from the opposite side looking at the crank handle 615. A second movement supporting wheel 605b is located on the opposing side of the carrier. A length of portable speed bump elements 601 is shown partially deployed from the carrier 600 as the carrier is moved across a roadway 105.

[0039] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included in this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.

[0040] No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention have been described, as required by statute, to be illustrative, but should not be interpreted to be restrictive. One having skill in the art will recognize that many different arrangements of the various components depicted are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below, as well as arrangements including components not explicitly shown.

[0042] One having skill in the art will understand that certain combinations and/or sub-combinations of elements and features are of utility and may be employed without reference to other combinations and/or sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.